The Exhausted Sea

Pew released its report at precisely the right time. As of this writing, an even more ambitious study by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, established and funded under the Oceans Act of 2000, is expected out in draft form in October. The governors of each state, all of whom have received the Pew report, will get 30 days to comment on the federal study. Probably in November the final draft will go to the administration, which will have 90 days to formulate an oceans policy, and to Congress.

If enough people who care about marine ecosystems make themselves heard, the result could be the nation's first cogent, cohesive oceans policy. Now George W. Bush has the chance to redeem his image and be a genuine environmental hero. As Ocean Conservancy president and Pew oceans commissioner Roger Rufe put it at the June 4 press conference: "We have an opportunity for the President of the United States to be the Teddy Roosevelt of the oceans."

Ted Williams was named Conservationist of the Year by the Coastal Conservation Association of New York in March 2003.

What You Can Do

Contact Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans (U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230), your governor, and your national legislators, and tell them you want marine ecosystems managed by scientists, not special interests. Avoid buying fish that are being caught faster than they reproduce. Go to www.audubon.org/campaign/lo/index.html and click on "Seafood Guide." This Living Oceans site also provides the latest news on seabirds and other marine life as well as ways to protect it.